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Friday, April 22, 2016

New Book from IAP - Project Based Literacy: Fun Literacy Projects for Powerful Common Core Learning

Project‐Based Learning; it’s a term that most
educators have heard and probably have heard good things about, Often,
though, they aren’t quite sure precisely what its defining
characteristics are other than involving students in projects that are
supposed to somehow result in their learning things of value.

A
great many teachers are reluctant to make it part of what they do with
their students due to unfounded fears of unrealistic workloads and
classroom management issues associated with it. This book should help
change that, making the nature of PBL (Project‐Based Learning) clear and
illustrating how it can be a manageable, effective, and very enjoyable
aspect of instruction.

The book will present an exciting,
alternative approach to literacy instruction that its authors call
Project Based Literacy. This will principally be done through the
presentation of 20 appealing projects, all of them carefully designed to
engage and inspire students (grades 3 – 8) in literacy activities that
are both core to the required curriculum and deeply in‐synch with the
Common Core Standards in English Language Arts. The book will also
present support material for this, providing sufficient theory,
instructional and classroom management tips, and technology and other
‘How To’ information to ensure that rank and file classroom teachers can
adopt, adapt, and enjoyably and successfully implement the projects and
maximize learning in relation to the Common Core Standards for ELA.

CONTENTS
Introduction. PART I.
What is Project‐Based Literacy? Core Elements of Literacy Projects.
Project‐Based Literacy and the Common Core. Authenticity in Literacy
Projects. Project‐Based Literacy and 21st Century Teaching and Learning.
Classroom Management and Project‐Based Literacy. Sharing the Work:
Publishing and Presenting Student Products. Assessment and Feedback of
Literacy Projects. PART II: Literacy Learning Projects.
Non Fiction Book Map. Student Created Anti‐Bullying Blog: Student
Writing and Blogging on Bullying, Being Bullied, and Being a Bystander
Sandwich Science: Class Cookbook and Nutritional Guide to Student
Sandwich Creations. Label Literacy. Curating a Museum Exhibit: Student
Created Public Learning Displays. Famous Scientists Trading Cards.
Student Designed Author Fan Web Sites. Interactive Endangered Species
Map. Where I’m From—Poetry
Self Portraits. Game Changer Inventions: Class Exhibit on Inventions
That Have Changed Our Lives. Print to Podcast. Public Service
Announcements. Class Alphabet Book Publication: Mastery of Research,
Content, and Collaboration—Easy as A, B, C. Rights Report: Student
Reporting on the State of Constitutional Rights. Good Thing or Bad? When
Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact, What’s the Impact? Neighborhood
Guide Brochure School Network News: The News—Of, For, and by Students.
Illustrated Family Stories: The Ones We Hear, the Ones We Tell, and the
Ones We Capture in Art. Class Survey. Painted History: Understanding Our
World through Works of Art. PART III: Technology “How To”. Technology How To for Projects.